Honours to Borris-Illeigh in this Tipperary SHC final - the 7,250 in attendance saw them defeat Kiladangan in a hard-fought encounter.

Former Galway star Peter Finnerty has endorsed U20 manager Jeff Lynskey to succeed Micheál Donoghue as county manager.

When Ger Loughnane brought out his book 18 years ago, he had the whole pick of Ireland to launch it for him.

Sports psychology has always intrigued me.

Given last Sunday night’s peculiar but surely forgivable digression by Derek McGrath and Dónal Óg Cusack had half the nation yearning for the return of the plain speaking of Ger Loughnane, it’s worth revisiting what the great Clare man had to say about the weekend’s two victors back in his final summers on our screens.

The biggest barrier to family planning is the high cost of contraception, according to the National Women's Council of Ireland.

It’s 21 years ago now, but Clare’s league semi-final performance against Cork in 1998 has long been cast into hurling folklore, as much for what we didn’t do, or were supposed to have done beforehand, than anything to do with the final score.

For several generations now it has been common for Clare teams to head across the road to the Sherwood Inn in the Ennis Shopping Centre after training or a game in Cusack Park for something to eat.

I’ve had better weekends. Spurs and Clare. Big dreams. Big plans. All ending in dust.

Who dares to speak of ’98? Tony Browne, actually, but 21 years after his infamous scrape with Colin Lynch, the Waterford legend’s regard for his opposing number on the Clare side is immense.

The scoreline does not reflect the magnificent efforts of Tipperary in the first half but it does showcase once more the ability of All-Ireland senior camogie champions Cork to produce a performance in a pressure situation.

Clare were poxed to get a draw with Galway in the 1999 All-Ireland quarter-final. 

World champion race-walking star Rob Heffernan has announced his retirement from international athletics.

Just months after a riveting 2001 football championship had captured the public imagination with the advent and novelty of the backdoor, Ger Loughnane proclaimed in his book, Raising The Banner: “The biggest problem with hurling is that it is in danger of being swamped by football.

As early as yesterday morning, some bookies had me priced at 5-1 to be installed as the next Waterford manager. Some free advice; keep yere money in yere pockets. The road from west Clare to Waterford is one significant reason I wouldn’t entertain the prospect. But the main one is pretty obvious — replacing Derek McGrath certainly won’t be an easy gig. For anyone.

Former All Star Brendan Bugler will be high in the Cusack Park stand for Clare’s clash with neighbours Limerick tomorrow afternoon. Yes, he’s jealous of the new round-robin format and the home and away system but, for the most part, the Whitegate man is happy to be returning to his club roots, writes Kieran Shannon

I got a call from my old buddy, Niall Gilligan, on Tuesday morning. We were chatting about meeting Fr Harry Bohan for a quiet drink at some stage. 

A story endures about Tipperary and Cork in the 1909 Munster Final.

Alan Hansen doesn’t do live TV anymore. After 22 years, he finished up as BBC’s Match of the Day anchor pundit in 2014. Commanding he was, but not without sin, Manchester United coming back to haunt him following his infamous “kids” remark in 1995.

Twenty years ago, there were the three shadowy priests who, it was claimed, had knowledge of Colin Lynch’s suspension before the Munster Council had even met to decide his faith. In Liam Doyle, Seánie McMahon, and Anthony Daly, meanwhile, Clare had the three wise kings, forming one of hurling’s greatest half-back lines. Two decades on from the Banner’s last Munster SHC success and the All-Ireland title that got away, the trio recall that tumultuous summer of ’98, from Lynch’s ban to Jimmy Cooney’s bad time-keeping.

Drogheda United soccer player Luke Rossiter has said he “doesn’t really know” why he tweeted that he was “delighted for Paddy Jackson” and why he criticised the complainant following last week’s Belfast rape trial verdict.

Drogheda United soccer player Luke Rossiter has said he “doesn’t really know” why he tweeted that he was “delighted for Paddy Jackson” and why he criticised the complainant following last week’s Belfast rape trial verdict.

There will be a “significant increase” to previous homicide statistics when the CSO resumes publication of crime data next week.

There are no workplace provisions to protect women during the menopause. It’s time to break the silence, says Áilín Quinlan.

A standoff between the Central Statistics Office and An Garda Síochána over the recording of domestic abuse incidents continues, writes Cormac O'Keeffe.

As tee-ups go for their most important game of the season thus far, this was about as ugly a knock-down as UCC Demons could have feared, writes Tony Leen

With all the attention the various awards and big-name autobiographies command at this time of year, that little gem of a read for that special GAA person in your life can remain hidden, lost in the heap, writes Kieran Shannon.

Latest: The Education Minister Richard Bruton says the Government continues to have confidence in the Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O'Sullivan, despite recent Garda scandals.

An Garda Síochána’s credibility has suffered another blow after the CSO decided for a second time not to publish Garda crime statistics.

Having Dónal Óg Cusack on board is a big advantage, especially with Clare’s need to shut down Anthony Nash’s puckouts, particularly to Conor Lehane, writes Anthony Daly.

Wexford were thoroughly deserving winners against Kilkenny. Twenty-one scores to 14 scores is an eloquent ratio, writes PM O’Sullivan. 

The effective owner of a building company has been found liable for €735,000 costs of his firm’s dismissed action over works to a bar of publican Charlie Chawke, writes Ann O'Loughlin.

The Central Statistics Office has concluded that it cannot stand over Garda domestic violence figures after conducting a detailed analysis.

On the way home from the Gaelic Grounds yesterday, I was snaking my way out the Ennis Road in my car when I saw Conor Hayes at the side of the road.

Kilkenny will be on high alert, especially after the trimming they took from Clare, writes Anthony Daly.

Our hopes for the 2017 GAA season? They read as follows...

Recently-retired Kilkenny star Jackie Tyrrell has delivered a stinging broadside against Ger Loughnane for his recent comments about Brian Cody.

Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-12 O’Loughlin Gaels 0-19: Threequarters way through at Nowlan Park yesterday the 9,130 attendance at last began to stir. The first half had been tepid.